YOUNG forecasters were yesterday given tips on how to plot the changing seasons by taking part in the Great British Weather Experiment.

Children from Ysgol Pencae, Llandaff, Cardiff, took basic weather readings from a mobile lab, led by expert Dr Liz Bentley.

Using thermometers, cameras and homemade rain gauges, the year five and six pupils contributed to the national tracking of the arrival of autumn in real-time – an experiment which kicked off this week and is expected to last until the middle of next month.

The study is the largest of its kind and will collect information about the weather, temperature and rainfall across the UK.

Teacher Victoria Edwards said the children enjoyed making their own measuring instruments after seeing the hi-tech equipment in the weather lab.

She said: “We’re going to be gathering data about wind and rain. They’ve been learning how to make a rain gauge using a plastic bottle and, to level it off, they used jelly. It’s so simple.

“They also learned to make an anemometer, which measures wind speed, using a protractor and a piece of string. It’s great to be part of a national experiment and, considering we’ve already had a hurricane and a drought this year, the children know why it’s important to know about the weather and what the changes in the weather mean.”

Members of the Weather Club, newly-launched by the Royal Meteorological Society (RMS), are also to take part in the experiment. The RMS launched the club to bring the public together to share their fascination with the weather. The charity club is aiming to attract thousands of members in the UK.

Dr Bentley, meteorologist and Weather Club founder, said: “The Weather Club is for all those who appreciate the weather for all its wonders. It will allow us to come together and share our very British obsession with the weather.

“People can share their interest in weather, get involved in national experiments and surveys and ask an expert about things they’ve always wanted to ask.”

Legendary weatherman Michael Fish said: “In Britain we are bonkers about the weather. Maybe it comes from having such a varied climate.

“Foreigners certainly seem astonished at how much we obsess about the weather. I can barely walk down the street without someone wanting to have a quick chat about the weather. So I know this club will have a lot of people who want to participate.”